Bi-alloy spacer grid and associated methods

Abstract

A bi-alloy spacer grid (BASG) is provided with grid straps and springs made using different zirconium alloys. The grid straps are made from a relatively low growth zirconium alloy, and the springs are made from a relatively high growth zirconium alloy. The springs are coupled to the grid straps by welding, mechanical interference, or secondary forming in place. When subjected to irradiation, the springs grow relative to the grid straps thereby maintaining contact with the fuel rod cladding, while the grid straps resist growth to maintain structural stability of the entire fuel assembly. The optimized balance of the high growth springs and low growth grid straps mitigates the formation of gaps between the fuel rods and grid support structures). The growth properties of the grid straps and springs may be further controlled through optional different fabrication processes.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to nuclear fuel assemblies and, more particularly, bi-alloy spacer grids for nuclear fuel assemblies which resist grid-to-rod fretting and associated methods. BACKGROUND INFORMATION [0002] To maximize neutron economy, spacer grids for nuclear fuel assemblies are preferably made from zirconium alloy. Zirconium alloy, however, tends to grow during normal operation of the fuel assembly due to the effects of irradiation and hydrogen absorption. The direction and amount of growth depends on several factors including the cold work, alloy, and texture of the zirconium alloy. A strip of zirconium alloy will tend to grow in the direction of rolling as opposed to the direction of the mill roller axis. [0003] Since grid straps are typically rolled along their longitudinal axis, growth will occur in a “lateral” direction, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the fuel rods that are supported within the spacer gri...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention meets this need and others by providing a bi-alloy spacer grid (BASG) in which the grid straps and springs are made using different zirconium alloys to mitigate the formation of gaps between the fuel rods and grid support structures (i.e., the springs and dimples). The grid straps are made from a relatively low growth zirconium alloy, and the springs are made from a relatively high growth zirconium alloy. The springs are attached to the grid straps by welding, mechanical interference, or secondary forming in place. When subjected to irradiation the springs tend to grow relative to the grid straps to maintain contact with the fuel rod cladding, while the grid straps tend to resist growth to maintain the structural stability of the entire fuel assembly. The combination of the high growth springs and low growth grid straps mitigates grid-to-fuel rod gaps. The grid straps and springs may be subjected to different fabrication processes (e.g., without limitation, texture and cold work direction) to further affect their growth properties, as desired.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a bi-alloy spacer grid that resists the formation of gaps or empty spaces between the clad support structures (springs and dimples) and the fuel rod cladding.

[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to offer more design flexibility by providing a bi-alloy spacer grid with separate grid strap and spring components.

Problems solved by technology

Zirconium alloy, however, tends to grow during normal operation of the fuel assembly due to the effects of irradiation and hydrogen absorption.

This growth contributes to the formation of gaps or empty space between the clad support structures (the springs and dimples) and the cladding.

Fuel rod clad creep down, which occurs when the cladding collapses inward on the fuel pellets, and loss of pre-load due to annealing of the zirconium alloy, may also contribute to the formation of gaps.

Gapped cells lead to a phenomenon known as grid-to-rod fretting, which occurs when flow around the fuel rods induces vibration, causing the cladding to wear against the clad support structures of the spacer grid.

Grid-to-rod fretting may have a detrimental effect on the fuel design's capability to withstand loads, particularly Condition III and IV loads.

However, this approach is not ideal because it is difficult to achieve the appropriate balance between grid strap and spring growth.

However, this approach is not ideal because steel and nickel-chromium-iron alloys are high parasitic loss materials that tend to absorb neutrons, and it is difficult to ensure the mechanical integrity of the attachment between the two dissimilar metals.

This approach, however, is not ideal because it is difficult to roll the grid straps in this direction.

Also, because the spring growth is proportionally reduced along with that of the base strap, the desired relative growth is not improved over designs stamped in the longitudinal direction.

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